Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1822

Average_duration

:

5:02

Schwanengesang, D. 744, Op. 23/3 is a song cycle composed by Franz Schubert in 1828, just a few months before his death. The cycle consists of thirteen songs, set to poems by three different poets: Ludwig Rellstab, Heinrich Heine, and Johann Gabriel Seidl. The premiere of the cycle was given posthumously in Vienna in 1839. The first movement of the cycle is "Liebesbotschaft" (Love's Message), set to a poem by Rellstab. It is a tender and romantic song, with a flowing melody and a gentle accompaniment. The second movement is "Kriegers Ahnung" (Warrior's Foreboding), also set to a poem by Rellstab. It is a more dramatic and intense song, with a sense of foreboding and impending doom. The third movement is "Frühlingssehnsucht" (Longing for Spring), set to a poem by Seidl. It is a joyful and optimistic song, with a lively melody and a sense of anticipation for the coming of spring. The fourth movement is "Ständchen" (Serenade), set to a poem by Rellstab. It is a romantic and dreamy song, with a gentle and flowing melody. The fifth movement is "Aufenthalt" (Resting Place), set to a poem by Seidl. It is a more somber and introspective song, with a sense of longing and melancholy. The sixth movement is "In der Ferne" (In the Distance), also set to a poem by Seidl. It is a haunting and atmospheric song, with a sense of isolation and loneliness. The seventh movement is "Abschied" (Farewell), set to a poem by Rellstab. It is a poignant and emotional song, with a sense of finality and loss. The eighth movement is "Der Atlas" (Atlas), set to a poem by Heine. It is a powerful and dramatic song, with a sense of struggle and despair. The ninth movement is "Ihr Bild" (Her Image), also set to a poem by Heine. It is a tender and romantic song, with a flowing melody and a sense of longing. The tenth movement is "Das Fischermädchen" (The Fisherman's Maiden), also set to a poem by Heine. It is a melancholy and introspective song, with a sense of loss and regret. The eleventh movement is "Die Stadt" (The City), set to a poem by Heine. It is a haunting and atmospheric song, with a sense of isolation and loneliness. The twelfth movement is "Am Meer" (By the Sea), also set to a poem by Heine. It is a somber and introspective song, with a sense of longing and melancholy. The final movement of the cycle is "Der Doppelgänger" (The Double), also set to a poem by Heine. It is a haunting and atmospheric song, with a sense of foreboding and impending doom. The melody is repetitive and hypnotic, creating a sense of unease and tension. Overall, Schwanengesang is a powerful and emotional song cycle, showcasing Schubert's mastery of melody and his ability to convey a wide range of emotions through music. The cycle is characterized by its romanticism, its sense of longing and melancholy, and its haunting and atmospheric quality.

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